Distress & Disruption

Responding to Distressed or Disruptive Students: A Guide for Faculty and Staff

As a member of the Parkland College community, you may come into contact with students who are experiencing personal distress or difficulties coping with college. Students may reveal problems to you through personal communication or indirectly by their general behavior. Being aware of distress signals, methods of intervention, and sources of help for the student can help you feel more in control of situations that may arise, and put you in a better position to be helpful.

DISTRESS SIGNALS

Listed below are some of the more prevalent signs of someone in distress. This list is intended to provide basic information only.

Depression
While we all may feel depressed from time to time, “normal” depressions may consist of only one or two symptoms and usually pass within days. Clinically depressed people will exhibit multiple symptoms for a longer period of time. Some of these symptoms are sleep disturbances, poor concentration, change in appetite, loss of interest in pleasurable activities, withdrawal, poor hygiene, loss of self-esteem, and preoccupation with death.

Agitation or Acting Out
This would represent a departure from normal or socially appropriate behavior. It might include being disruptive, restlessness or hyperactivity, being antagonistic, or emotional volatility (crying easily, losing temper).

Disorientation
Some distressed students may seem “out of it.” You may witness a decrease in awareness of what is going on around them, forgetting or losing things, misapprehension of facts or reality, rambling or disconnected speech, and behavior that seems out of context or bizarre.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Signs of intoxication during class or interaction with college officials are indicative of a problem that requires attention. Student use of alcohol or unlawful use of other controlled substances on campus is a violation of college policy.

Suicidal Thoughts
Most people who attempt suicide communicate early messages about their distress. These messages can range from “I don’t want to be here,” to a series of vague “goodbyes,” to “I’m going to kill myself.” All suicidal references should be taken seriously.

Violence and Aggression
You may become aware of students who could be dangerous to others. This may be manifested by physically violent behavior, verbal threats, threatening email or letters, harassing or stalking behavior, and papers or exams that contain violent or threatening material. While it is not expected that you provide a thorough assessment, you may be the first contact for a student in distress, and in a position to ask a few questions. The following guidelines are offered as suggestions for dealing with distressed students.

INTERVENTION GUIDELINES

Responding to students who may express a problem, but are not disruptive in class:

A student may come to you with a problem, or you may notice a problem from their behavior. If you notice a problem, but the student has not asked you for help, approach the student in writing or orally and suggest a meeting after class. If you would like a consultation regarding how to talk to the student prior to your meeting, contact Counseling Services.

When you meet with the student, indicate in a supportive manner that you have noticed that the student seems “troubled/upset,” “tuned out,” or whatever you have observed.

If the student is willing to discuss his or her problems with you, listen attentively without making too many responses or suggestions. Discuss referring him or her to Counseling Services.

If the student does not want to discuss any personal matters with you, gently indicate that counselors are available in Counseling Services at no cost to the student. Give the student the location and phone number of the center. You may want to offer to accompany the student to the center if you are comfortable with this action, and/or offer to call the center to say that the student has been encouraged to make an appointment. Although your concern and interest are valuable and appreciated, it is unlikely that you will learn the outcome of the appointment. Counselors cannot share information with you without the voluntary, written consent of the student. You also may visit the Behavioral Intervention Team site at the my.parkland.edu portal to fill out a “Person of Concern” form.

Know your limits. You will be able to assist many distressed students on your own by simply listening and referring them for further help. Some students, however, will need much more than you can provide. Respect any feelings of discomfort you may have and focus on getting students the assistance they require. You can do this by reinforcing them for confiding in you, being accepting and nonjudgmental, and indicating that seeking professional help is a positive and responsible thing to do. Some signs that you may have overextended yourself include:

Feeling stressed out or overwhelmed by the situation

Feeling angry at the student

Feeling afraid

Having thoughts of “adopting” or otherwise rescuing the student

“Reliving” similar experiences of your own

Responding to severe disruptive behavior in class:
If, in your judgment, a student is exhibiting hostile, belligerent, and/or out-of-control behavior, you need to take immediate action.

Safety First!
Always keep safety in mind when you interact with a disruptive student. Maintain a safe distance and a route of escape should you need it. If danger to you or the student seems imminent, call Public Safety at 911 or 351-2369. If no phone is available, quietly send another person to the nearest office or emergency phone to call. If you have access to a classroom computer or office computer, you can contact Public Safety immediately by using the bright red Room Alert 911 icon.

Avoid Escalation
Distressed students are sometimes easily provoked. Never embarrass a student in front of other students. Take a calm and matter-of-fact approach. You may want to ask the disruptive student to leave the class. Be supportive but firm. Avoid threatening, humiliating, and intimidating responses. When a student is hostile and defiant, it is best to avoid a confrontation. One can always remind the student of rules at a later time.

Classroom Management
It is assumed that appropriate classroom management techniques will be the first course of action in cases where there is not a physical threat.

Notify the Parkland College Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT)

Once the student is removed by Public Safety or has left the class on his or her own, report the incident to the BIT. You also can discuss the situation with a member of the BIT. Depending on the situation, an intervention by the BIT, Counseling Services, or another appropriate office may serve to resolve the situation. Depending upon the severity of the disruption, it may be necessary to pursue disciplinary action, including suspension from Parkland College.

With thanks to Queens College (NY) Counseling Services for providing the framework on which this guide is based